AMT 1/25 1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass F-85

Disappointing sales of the compact F-85, along with the introduction of Ford Motor Company's intermediate Fairlane in 1962, prompted GM to enlarge the senior compacts for the 1964 model year.

The new intermediate F-85 now rode a conventional body-on-frame chassis with a perimeter frame which it shared with the newly introduced "A-body" Chevrolet Chevelle, and upgraded Buick Special and Pontiac Tempest. Wheelbase grew to 115 inches (2,900 mm), overall length to 203 inches (5,200 mm), and weight by more than 300 pounds (140 kg). Both the aluminum V8 and the Roto Hydramatic were discontinued in favor of a new cast-iron small-block V8 of 330 cu in (5.4 L) displacement and an optional two-speed Jetaway automatic transmission with variable-pitch stator. Buick's 225 cu in (3.7 L) V6 was the standard engine. It was the first time that Oldsmobile used a six-cylinder engine since the Oldsmobile Seventy Six was discontinued in 1950 while it was sourced from a different GM Division.

The body styles of the previous model returned, and a new Vista Cruiser, a stretched-wheelbase (120 inches (3,000 mm)) version of the standard station wagon featuring a raised rear roof with tinted skylights and a fold-down, forward-facing third seat, debuted on February 4, 1964. The 4-4-2 model, derived from the BO-9 police package, was also introduced in March 1964 (costing $285.14 in 1964), as an answer to the new intermediate muscle car market created by the Pontiac GTO that same year.

Sales increased to 167,002 for 1964, not counting Vista Cruisers.

This kit was originally released in 1964 as part of AMT's 1964 model year line up. After Round 2 bought the company, it was upgraded with a hard top and released in 2021 along with the convertible boxing, which is this one.

Kits of this era were fairly basic. At least the kit comes with a full engine, though gone is the metal spring that was used to allow the hood to be posed open. Chassis is quite basic and you get two metal axles to thread through the holes in the wheel wells. An addition is a 'disc brake' piece that is meant for the racing version. Two different wheel insert options are provided.

Interior is the usual tub with molded in rear seat. Two seat, steering wheel, and dash options are provided. After installing the windshield, the interior and firewall can be installed along with the radiator and battery. Two different hoods are also provided.

The kit provides the option for a stock, custom, or racing version with the latter looking very much like the Fireball 500 custom car. It is in the final construction steps that the builder's final options can be added. Like many older AMT kits, this one has the body held in place by some fairly hefty screws.

Instructions are well done with parts identified and options also called out. The final assembly is broken down into three separate sections with one for racing, one for custom and one for stock. A nicely done decal sheet is provided with the majority of the decal options being for the racing version. License plates and a stock instrument panel decal are also on the sheet.

  While I'm not a huge fan of convertibles, I do particularly like this body style of Cutlass so when I saw it on a vendor's table, I bought it. Should make for a fairly quick build as car kits go.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_Cutlass

February 2024

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